REAL OFFENSIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 5 July 1943, Page 5

REAL OFFENSIVE

STEP BY STEP Rugby, July 3. The present fighting in the SouthWest Pacific, Col. Knox, Secretary of the Navy, said yesterday, according to a San Francisco message, is a real Allied offensive. This news was announced in London today where it was pointed out that when the Japanese were attacking they advanced step by step, each time establishing a base to give adequate air protection for the next. The Allies are now taking similar steps.—B.O.W. DEVELOPMENTS FROM DRIVE WEEKEND REPORTS ACTIVITIES IN BOTH SECTORS Sydney, July 4. Developments from the Allied drive in the Southern Pacific are reported on by General MacArthur’s weekend communiques. Activities in both the Solomons and the New Guinea sectors are recorded. Under the heading “Solomons, South Pacific forces,” General MacArthur’s communique on 4th July says: “Rendova Island: A late message reports that seven of our fighters on patrol intercepted 30 Zeros and subsequently 20 more on 2nd July, shooting down six and dispersing the remainder. Three of our planes were lost but one pilot was recovered. The following day 10 of our interceptors engaged a force of 50 enemy fighters, destroying five with the loss of three of our planes. Enemy naval surface units at night ineffectively shelled our shore positions and were driven off by our supporting naval forces. The ground forces are consolidating their positions. “New Georgia Island: Our torpedo and dive-bombers dropped 28 tons of bobs on the enemy bivouac area near Munda aerodrome. Enemy anti-aircraft positions were attacked by medium bombers escorted by fighters. “Vangunu Island: Allied surface craft shelled enemy positions near Wickham anchorage at midday. Our dive-bombers attacked the areas dropping thousand pound bombs and strafing the area.” CARGO VESSEL SUNK General MacArthur’s communique of 3rd July reported: “Allied fighters of the South Pacific engaged a group of enemy planes over Rendova, shooting down 14 fighters and eight dive-bomb-ers. We lost eight planes but three of the pilots are safe. At Bairoko anchorage, north of Munda, Allied medium bombers with fighter escort attacked and sank an enemy cargo vesesl of about 1500 tons.”

In the South-West Pacific General MacArthur’s communique to-day reports the latest developments in the Nassau Bay area where Australian and American ground forces are linked up. It says: “Eight enemy bombers escorted by nine Zeros attempting to attack our ground positions were intercepted and dispersed by our fighters. Four enemy bombers and one fighter were shot down and an additional fighter was probably destroyed. We suffered no losses. Earlier a single enemy fighter strafed the area. The ground situation is quiet. The area south of the south arm of the Bitoi River is reported clear of enemy troops.” In their fourth successive night attack on Japan’s main Southern Pacific base, Rabaul, General MacArthur’s heavy bombers dropped incendiary bombs on Lakunai, Rapopo, and Vunakanau aerodromes. Three large fires were visible for 40 miles. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and interception by several enemy night fighters all our planes returned. In the midday raid on fhe Celebes air base, Kendari, 16 tons of bombs were dropped on aerodromes and town areas. Considerable damage was done to barracks and buildings but clouds hindered observation. In the Arafura Sea, North of Australia, a small formation of enemy planes attempting to attack Allied shipping has been driven off by our air escort One enemy float-plane has been destroyed and a fighter damaged.